In a 26-20 overtime loss against the Detroit Lions, injuries forced the Los Angeles Rams to make a complete substitution on the offensive line.
The Rams (0-1) are hoping to be in better shape when they play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday since they have a few days to deal with the situation and add fresh players.
“I felt the guys did a wonderful job of fighting and grinding and trying to claw one out,” right tackle Rob Havenstein said. An ankle injury kept him out of the season’s first game. “The guys in there were fighting, but there are obviously things to tidy up and get better at. Nothing was disappointing.
Despite being limited in practice on Thursday, Havenstein is optimistic that he will be able to return to the starting lineup and play this week in his tenth season with the Rams.
He remarked, “Feeling fine, ready to go.” “Just need to polish up a few technical details. Fortunately, it is Thursday, so we are not performing tonight.
After the Rams lost swing tackle Joe Noteboom and left guard Steve Avila to ankle and knee injuries sustained against the Lions, Havenstein would be a welcomed addition. On Wednesday, both were put on injured reserve.
Due to a foot ailment sustained in Detroit, right guard Kevin Dotson missed his second straight practice, raising doubts about his availability. Alaric Jackson, a left tackle, will miss two games this week due to suspension.
The Rams added fresh players this week as a result of these absences. After bringing back 38-year-old Ty Nsekhe the day before, they signed rookie Dylan McMahon from the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad and free agent Geron Christian on Wednesday.
After learning about his new team late on Monday night, McMahon—a sixth-round selection from N.C. State—has been putting in a lot of effort to catch up.
“Some familiar faces can be seen in the locker room,” McMahon remarked. There are quite a few N.C. State players in the area, including Beaux (Limmer), a rookie center, and a few other guys I went through the draft process with.
It is been good since I know Beaux from the combine, the draft process, and everything else. Everyone is eager to lend a hand, and it has been beneficial to discover the crime.